4 Tips to Enrich Your PR Accreditation (APR) Journey
Posted on May. 3, 2024 / Subscribe 0
Achieving your accreditation in public relations, APR, is one of the most rewarding experiences for a communication practitioner because it signifies an immense accomplishment. Yet getting there can be a lonely journey because the road to accreditation is often undertaken as a solo exercise.
That shouldn’t stop you, though. And there are ways to navigate the experience with others that can both enrich your experience and contribute to your success.
The following are four tips to help you achieve this elite credential while also finding support and camaraderie along the way.
1) Secure a mentor: You may not know it, but the Detroit PRSA chapter stands ready to help any committed candidate find a mentor among the many practitioners in our chapter who successfully completed the process. This can prove invaluable for asking questions and gaining insight about a process that can at some times feel confusing and at other times seem completely overwhelming. I can categorically say that my mentor was essential to my success. She not only showed me what’s possible by demonstrating that there is light at the end of the tunnel but graciously reviewed my presentation materials and made important suggestions throughout the experience. PRSA National also has great tips for finding a mentor.
2) Find a study group: Finding a group of APR candidates to study with can also help immensely. While the number of APR candidates in our chapter can usually be counted on one hand, other chapters across the nation may offer opportunities for study companions. Our APR committee would be happy to put candidates in touch with other chapters to find others who are going through the process. Studying with others is a great reinforcement, and a group dynamic can also just be more enjoyable than working alone.
3) Join an online cohort: Many APR candidates find the solo journey daunting, compounded by the many materials to review -- and without any specific milestone deadlines for accomplishing them before the end of your year-long process. Personally, I don’t think I could’ve achieved my accreditation without an APR online study course. The modules covered all the topics that you will need to master the test and your panel presentation. The online course also gives candidates access to others in the cohort who are going through the process, as well as many experts in the field. And it goes without saying that the practice tests are incredibly useful and can serve as a compass for what you should focus your time and energy on.
4) Leverage AI: This may sound silly, but I found Alexa to be a terrific study companion. She was available night and day and happy to answer many questions, especially assisting me with historical references and explaining key theories of the profession that might pop up on the test. It’s true that some of my questions stumped her, but I found her to be an excellent companion to supplement the work I was doing on my own and through the online course.
In short, the APR is undoubtedly a solo exercise, but you can find ways to enhance your journey with assistance from others – and even from artificial intelligence. Most importantly, you should always know that the Detroit PRSA APR committee is ready and willing to help you make this experience the best it can be. Reach out to us! We’re here for you and want you to succeed.
Jennifer Mrozowski, APR, is co-chair for PRSA Detroit's APR Accreditation Committee.
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